19-Sep-2025

People Also Search For: How It Works & How to Use It for SEO Success

If you're working on SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), you're likely always looking for ways to improve your website's visibility in search engine results. One effective way to do this is by leveraging People Also Search For (PASF) and People Also Ask (PAA) features introduced by Google. These features help users find related, relevant information quickly.

By understanding how PASF and PAA work, you can create better content that ranks higher on search engine results pages. PASF shows related search queries that people often use after performing an initial search, helping users discover more relevant topics. For example, if you search for “SEO basics,” you might also see related searches like “SEO tutorial for beginners” or “Advanced SEO techniques.”

On the other hand, PAA displays a set of questions that users typically ask about a specific search term, providing direct answers. For example, searching for “SEO strategies” might show questions like “What are the best SEO practices?”

To leverage these features effectively, consider enrolling in an Advanced SEO Course to understand keyword optimisation and how to craft content that fits both PASF and PAA. This strategy will enhance your content’s chances of ranking and increase organic visibility.

What Is People Also Search For (PASF)?

People Also Search For (PASF) is a feature Google uses to show related search terms at the bottom of a search result page. For example, if someone searches for “Digital Marketing Training In Lucknow,” Google might show additional search suggestions like “Top 10 digital marketing institute in Lucknow” or “What is the cost of digital marketing course in Lucknow?” These are related terms that other users have searched for after their original query.

How PASF Helps Users

When people search for something on Google, they don’t always find exactly what they’re looking for. Sometimes, the search results might not provide the specific information they need. To help with this, Google uses People Also Search For (PASF). PASF shows additional search queries that are related to the original search, giving users more options to find what they’re looking for. This feature is located at the bottom of the search results page. By clicking on these related search terms, users can explore more topics and find answers that might be more relevant to their needs. PASF is a great way for Google to guide users to better, more useful content during their search journey.

Example of PASF in Action

Just imagine that someone searches for “How to learn SEO”. At the bottom of the results, PASF might show:

“How to learn seo for free”
“How to learn seo for beginners”
“Learn SEO from Google”
“SEO course”
“Google SEO course free with certificate”
“What is SEO?”
“How to learn SEO online”

As shown in below image:

This helps users explore other relevant topics they might not have thought about but are still related to their original search.

What Is People Also Ask (PAA)?

People Also Ask (PAA) is another helpful Google feature that displays a box of related questions on the search results page. These are questions that other people commonly ask after searching for a topic. Each question in the PAA box can be clicked to reveal a short answer.

How PAA Works

If you search for something like “What is SEO?”, Google might show a PAA box with questions like:

“How does SEO work?”
“Why is SEO important?”
“What are the basic SEO strategies?”

Clicking on any of these questions will expand the answer, providing more detailed information.

Example of PAA in Action

Let’s say someone searches for “How to make a website”. The PAA section might display questions like:

“How to build a website from scratch?”
“What platform is best for building a website?”
“How long does it take to build a website?”

By providing these questions, Google helps users find more targeted and detailed information on the topic they’re interested in.

PASF (People Also Search For) vs PAA (People Also Ask)

At first glance, PASF and PAA may look similar, but they serve different purposes to help users find better information.

PASF (People Also Search For):

Purpose: PASF shows related search queries that people might be interested in after their initial search. It's about expanding the user's search options.
Example: If someone searches for “SEO for beginners,” PASF might show related searches like “SEO tips for beginners” or “How to learn SEO.”
How it helps: PASF allows users to explore more broad topics and discover additional search phrases that might be relevant to what they’re looking for.
Location: PASF is typically found at the bottom of the search results page.

PAA (People Also Ask):

Purpose: PAA shows a list of questions related to the specific search term. These are questions that people commonly ask about that topic.
Example: If someone searches for “What is SEO?”, PAA might display questions like “How does SEO work?” or “What are the types of SEO?”
How it helps: PAA provides quick, clear answers to common questions related to the search topic, making it easier for users to find detailed answers.
Location: PAA appears in a carousel at the top of the search results.

Key Differences:

PASF suggests related search terms to broaden the search.
PAA shows related questions to provide specific answers.

Both features improve the user's search experience by offering more useful and relevant information.

PASF Example:

Search: “SEO Course”

PASF might show:

“SEO Course free”
“SEO Course online”
“SEO Course fees”
“SEO Course in India”
“Best SEO Course”
“Google SEO Course free with certificate”

PAA Example:

Search: “What is Digital Marketing Training?”

PAA might show:
- “What is the meaning of digital marketing training?”
- “What are 7 types of digital marketing?”
- “What training is needed for digital marketing?”
- “Is a 3 month digital marketing course worth it?”

How to Rank for PASF and PAA Keywords

As an SEO, you need to focus on two main things: content quality and keyword optimization. Here are the steps to help your content rank for both PASF and PAA keywords.

1. Use Simple and Clear Language

Google tends to favor content that is easy for people to understand. When writing for PASF or PAA, use clear, simple language. Avoid jargon and make sure your content is beginner-friendly.

2. Provide Detailed Answers to Common Questions

For PAA, it’s essential that your content answers specific questions directly. If you're answering “What is SEO?” make sure you provide a thorough and clear explanation, followed by examples.

3. Target Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are more specific search terms that often appear in PASF and PAA. For example, instead of targeting “SEO,” target long-tail keywords like “How to use SEO for small business”. These keywords are more likely to appear in PASF and PAA because they match user intent more closely.

4. Be Comprehensive in Your Content

Google rewards content that answers all aspects of a user’s query. When creating content for PASF and PAA, make sure your article covers all the relevant topics around the keyword. This increases the chances of your content being featured.

5. Use Clear Headings and Subheadings

Headings are essential for both users and search engines. They make it easier for readers to find the information they need, and they help Google understand your content better. Use headings to break up your content, and include relevant keywords in them.

How to Create Content That Ranks for Both PASF and PAA

It’s not enough to just write content. You need to optimize it for both PASF and PAA.

1. Identify Common Questions

Look at the questions related to your keyword that appear in the PAA section. Try to answer these questions in your content. This gives you a better chance of appearing in the PAA box.

2. Provide In-Depth Content

Your content needs to be informative and comprehensive. Make sure you cover all the necessary aspects of the topic you're writing about, from the basics to more advanced details.

3. Make Your Content SEO-Friendly

Make sure your content is optimized for SEO by including the right keywords, using proper headings, and adding internal and external links.

4. Update Content Regularly

SEO is always changing, and so is Google’s algorithm. Keep your content up-to-date by revisiting it regularly and adding new information. This helps maintain your rankings in both PASF and PAA.

Tools to Find People Also Search For Keywords

As an SEO, you’ll want to find the best tools to help you discover PASF and PAA keywords. Here are some of the best tools for the job:

1. Google Trends

Google Trends is a great tool to see what’s trending in your industry. By entering a keyword, you can see related terms and phrases that are getting attention.

2. SEMrush Keyword Suggestion Tool

SEMrush offers a powerful tool to find related keywords. It’s particularly helpful for finding long-tail keywords and PASF queries.

3. Google Search Console

Google Search Console shows you the search terms that are driving traffic to your website. By analysing this data, you can discover which PASF and PAA keywords are relevant to your site.

4. Ahrefs Keywords Explorer

Ahrefs is another excellent SEO tool. It helps you discover a wide range of keywords, including PAA questions and PASF-related terms.

FAQs

1. What is PASF (People Also Search For)?

PASF is a Google feature that shows related search terms at the bottom of search results. It helps users discover more relevant topics after their initial search. For example, searching for “SEO for beginners” may show related queries like “SEO tips” or “SEO basics.”

2. How does PAA (People Also Ask) work?

PAA displays a list of related questions that people commonly ask about a specific search term. When you search for something like “What is SEO?”, PAA might show questions like “How does SEO work?” Users can click on these to get detailed answers.

3. How can PASF improve my SEO?

PASF can improve SEO by helping you discover related search queries that users are searching for. By optimizing your content around these related terms, you increase your chances of appearing in PASF, which can drive more organic traffic to your website.

4. How can PAA help with SEO?

PAA can boost SEO by showing your content as a direct answer to common questions. If your content answers frequently asked questions, it can appear in the PAA box, increasing visibility, user engagement, and traffic to your website.

5. How can I optimize content for PASF and PAA?

To optimize for PASF and PAA, use clear, simple language, target long-tail keywords, answer common questions, and provide comprehensive content. Also, structure your content with relevant headings and subheadings. Regularly update your content to stay relevant in Google’s search results.

6. What tools can help me find PASF and PAA keywords?

Google Trends, SEMrush, Google Search Console, and Ahrefs are excellent tools for finding PASF and PAA keywords. They help you discover related search terms and queries, track keyword performance, and analyze user behavior to optimize your content for better visibility.

Conclusion

People Also Search For (PASF) and People Also Ask (PAA) are two powerful Google features that can help boost your SEO. By understanding how these features work, you can optimise your content to rank for more related search terms and queries. For example, if you're offering Digital Marketing Training in Lucknow, using PASF and PAA effectively can help your content show up for related searches about Digital Marketing.

Always focus on creating high-quality, comprehensive content that answers users' questions clearly and concisely. By answering frequently asked questions about topics like Advanced SEO Classes, you can increase your chances of appearing in the PAA section, making it easier for potential students to find your training programs.

Additionally, by using tools like Google Trends, SEMrush, Google Search Console, and Ahrefs, you can discover new opportunities for your content to rank in PASF and PAA sections. These tools will help you uncover what people are searching for and guide you in optimising your content to target the right queries and increase your visibility.